Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

Indeed Dominika, indeed! At this point in time, I pray to God that a wise and good shepherd is chosen even if it be for those few years of transition into the new Egyptian government that is well needed.

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Vain existence can never exist, for "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127)

If the faith is unchanged and rock solid, then the gates of Hades never prevailed in the end.

As per canon law, the locum tenens, or transitional leader of the Church would be the oldest bishop of the highest rank. My father just read on the Egyptian channels that His Eminence Metropolitan Mikhail of Assyut passed down the responsibility and His Eminence Metropolitan Pakhomious of el-Beheira (and Pentapolis) accepted the post, and has asked the Coptic Church that no more than two months should be given for the election of the new Pope. May God grant His Eminence strength and wisdom these next couple of weeks.

Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in the delivery of full to the will of the Lord, and in full faith by submitting to his will, convey to the people of Egypt and the world and the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt and the world, The Departure of His Holiness our Father beloved Pope Shenouda III , Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Episcopate, the 117

Saint of our times and patron of our sponsors and head Osaagaftna, who moved in the hope of resurrection and joined to the church of virgins and the ranks of the saints at a quarter past five pm Saturday, March 17, 2012 We pray for the departure of his soul pure, and condolences all of us will bring you the details successively after the convening of the Holy Synod.

We must also pray that his successor is a versatile man who can guide the Church through the current crisis in Egypt. He must also be firm in his Orthodoxy and spiritually sound so as to lead her through the battles she is facing with Protestantization.

Lord have mercy!

« Last Edit: March 17, 2012, 10:11:47 PM by Severian »

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"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -Jesus Christ

"I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!" -Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring

"The world lost one of its beloved Orthodox fathers yesterday. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III - Patriarch of the Egyptian Coptic Church - departed in the Lord at the age of 88, after faithfully serving Him and His Church for decades. He was a stalwart preserver of Orthodox doctrine and morality, never caving into the pressures of modernity or the subjective whims of the liberal theological tide. His Holiness was an unapologetic defender of the Christian Faith amidst a sea of Islamic intimidation and terror. He also labored to preserve the Church from the onslaughts of Protestant heresies and cults. Now he has joined the angels and the beloved Saints of Egypt, St. Mary and St. Anthony, amongst others. He has left a wellspring of spiritual writings to guide and preserve the Church for ages to come. May his prayers and intercession be with us always, and may his blessed memory be Eternal!"

Selam, +GMK+

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

what i can understand of that translation is ok.the word 'Osaagaftna' means our bishop.

may the Lord give us peace and strength as we mourn the departure of one of our wisest and most loving leaders, a man who would never compromise his faith, and who talked to small children and great statesmen with the same care and attention, who left us with many memorable sayings (eg. 'our Lord is with us / present') and who was a great example as his live embodied the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.oh Lord, repose your beloved servant.remember us and all the Christians, oh dear patriarch, before the throne of grace.

I just seen this on Aol I remember about a year or 2 he did an interview with 60 mins may he rest in peace. I also just wanted to say that on the aol postings that O.O should be looking for there sites to go through the roof as people had no clue as to an eastern church even being around so Shenouda is still preaching to the people

Yes, I think for a lot of non-Orthodox to read the title "Pope" not connected to the Bishop of Rome must be a curious thing. But Pope Shenouda in a very real and direct way brought me to the church, and will continue to call others. Such a strong and loving shepherd attracts many of us wandering sheep.

I'm still really reeling from this news, but I know that God will provide for us in leading the church during these difficult times. May the prayers of our dear beloved father Pope Shenouda be with us all.

Sorrounded by so many cold and unwelcoming faces, I feel like I am embraced by angelic warmth whenever I see the face of H.H Pope Shenouda. He will be missed greatly. A tough challenge for the one who replaces his chair. Who are the potential candidates?

Sorrounded by so many cold and unwelcoming faces, I feel like I am embraced by angelic warmth whenever I see the face of H.H Pope Shenouda. He will be missed greatly. A tough challenge for the one who replaces his chair. Who are the potential candidates?

Some of the candidates I've heard:

His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta:

He was also considered the right hand of the Pope, and by some people even as the Pope himself. He has also been in the front lines of theological dialogues and an advocate to unity with the Eastern Orthodox. Politically (or theologically) however he is controversial with Muslims and other Christians, Orthodox or non-Orthodx, and even within the Synod. He is also a diocesan Metropolitan, which is an uncomfortable notion in accordance with ancient church tradition, although it has one precedent before with Pope Yousab who was Metropolitan of Girga.

His Grace Bishop Youannis, General Bishop and Papal Secretary:

He is beloved by many, especially the youth, and is known for his love of Coptic hymns, particularly Midnight tasbeha. He is however considered by some as too young, by others as unqualified due to his personality and lack of any real leadership, and yet by others as borderline heretical due to his semi-charismatic (Protestant-like) character. He received "street cred" when supporters of his spread a story around about a dream he had where the Theotokos implied he would be the next Pope.

His Grace Bishop Rafael, General Bishop:

He is quite low-key, but well respected and considered as a logical successor. He seems to have an appeal to many as the "second Shenouda" for his frequent lectures and writings. He is well educated in theology and he also is known not only for his knowledge of Coptic hymns, but the theological teaching of the hymns and rites. I have not heard anything negative about him. He also has "street cred" when a story about him spread around that the late His Holiness Pope Kyrillos did a "metanya" (prostration) to him when he was only a monk. When the Pope was approached (he was known for his miracles and knowing the future) as to why he did this, he replied that he did a prostration to the Pope of Alexandria.

His Grace Bishop Moussa, General Bishop of Youth:

If His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy is considered from a political standpoint illogical to be the next Pope, His Grace Bishop Moussa would be the logical choice. He is very loveable and certainly very beloved by practically anyone. He has never had any problems with anyone within the Synod, not even with His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy or with those against him. He is also loved by non-Orthodox and Muslims. Whenever disasters occurred, he was the face of comfort and reassurance for both Copts and Muslims alike. The only negative I've heard is age, but many argued that age shouldn't be an issue, since in these turbulent times, he would be the most logical choice.

Notice that the candidates are all bishops, and mostly general or non-diocesan bishops, which seems to be the expected trend as of now, considered that the last 3 out of 4 Popes were bishops (and the only ones in Coptic history), which leads to the endless debate of the validity of choices for Pope as well as the debate of the validity of non-diocesan bishops. As of now I have not heard of any priests or deacons in consideration for the position.

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Vain existence can never exist, for "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127)

If the faith is unchanged and rock solid, then the gates of Hades never prevailed in the end.